Gabe

Hi, Any ideas on a rough estimate per m2 for timber for floorboards. I am intending to remove three false ceilings and to replace the floorboards to be exposed. Would prefer to use reclaimed if possible, if not second choice would be new hard wood, but all depends on costs. Also does anywhere sell this timber pre-treated, or do you always have to treat yourself. Gabe

Now I know that this is going to sound stupid, but, can you freeze freshly squeezed fruit juice ? We have lots of different fruit trees, admittedly slightly unloved at the moment, and a glut of fruit which we do not want to waste. Also does anybody have any good ideas for a glut of figs ? The fruit are wonderful at the moment, but there are only so many a person can safely eat.

Sorry to digress slightly, but it is related...Can anybody advise is it wise or in fact a mandatory insurance requirement to have the chimney swept before you fit the flue, or is that just for open fires ?Gabe

Christian, Thanks for the info. I certainly know the Bricodepot and the Leclerc's so will look in when next over. Just a query what exactly do they sell in Gamme Vert, been past many times but never actually looked in ? I would be very interested to hear of any special offers that you come across. Once again thanks for the help

Ron, Thanks for the advice will try re-posting as suggested. I know what you mean about cutting oak, recently spent two days dismembering another old oak that came down in July. Our neighbour kindly leant his chainsaw, but to be honest in two days I achieved little more than just tidying up the area in which it fell.

Thanks for all the replies, To be honest I certainly have always preferred having a bath in the many gites that I have rented and personal experience has been that it can be easier with smaller children. However I do take the point about water and energy usage, which was one of the main reasons for the question in the first place. Once again thank you.. Gabe

Any ideas on the best place (and prices) for a woodburner in and around 32. We are based, not permanently yet, near Mirande, so both Auch and Tarbes are convenient. Recent advice on white goods was spot on, thanks for that. Also with regards woodburners, is it wise or a mandatory insurance requirement to have the chimney swept before you fit the flue, or is that just for open fires ? Gabe

Any ideas on the best place (and prices) for a woodburner in and around 32. We are based, not permanently yet, near Mirande, so both Auch and Tarbes are convenient. Recent advice on white goods was spot on, thanks for that. Also with regards woodburners, is it wise or a mandatory insurance requirement to have the chimney swept before you fit the flue, or is that just for open fires ? Gabe

We have two very old, very big oaks in our garden which sadly appear very dead. Does anybody have any idea as to how much it would cost to have these taken down ? Also, if I pay somebody to do this will they leave it in big sections for me to cut up for the woodburner, or will they cut it up and sell themselves thereby reducing my bill etc. As you can see I know nothing of these things. I was more than prepared to give it a go myself, but my wife seemed a little concerned, she is probably right !! 

Hi, We are developing plans for two, three bedroomed gites and would welcome views on our bathroom plans. We initially planned a master bedroom with ensuite to include sink, toilet and a bath with shower over and a separate bathroom with sink, toilet and shower (but no bath). What do people think ? Should we just have showers ? Should we have two baths etc? Also do we really need bidets ? Gabe

Thanks for the replies, Tarbes it is then. I understand you point Ormx, we have three young children ourselves and after the whole day couped up in the car travelling down on Monday, they will be like beserkers on Tuesday. Bit of advice if I may, stay clear of the white goods sections on Tuesday, it may not be pretty. Once again thanks to all for the pointers Gabe

Patf, thanks for the info. We will probably try Tarbes on Tuesday as we willl be in desperate need of a fridge. Still struggle with UHT milk i'm afraid. As I assume that you are in the area you wouldn't happen to know of an architect that speaks at least a little English. I can get by face to face, but initially will have to do quite alot on the telephone and this is much more challenging. Who knows what we might end up with !

Hi, we have just completed on our house in Ste Aurence, Nr Masseube/Trie sur Baise (32) and are travelling over next week for three weeks DIY/holiday, before moving in permanently after Christmas. Point is the house is completely empty and we need to buy some of the basics before we move our furniture over next year i.e. fridge, washing machine & some furniture. Anyone have advice on best places to look ? We were thinking of trying the Leclerc at Auch ? Do these places have items in stock, or do you need to wait for delivery ? Also do they deliver and if so what sort of distance ? For info Auch is nearest but Tarbes could also be a possibility. Gabe

If you don't mind me being nosey, I would be interested to hear what system you are planning to put in and any ideas on costs would be great. We have just bought our house in Ste Aurence Cazaux in Gers and plan to move in permanently next spring, assuming our house sale in England is completed on time. We intend to get a woodburner, but not sure about one with a boiler as yet. Whatever happens we will have to put in a central heating system to heat the place which is approx 250m2. So any advice, ideas, greatly appreciated. We are reasonably close to Auch, so if you take Pat's advice, perhaps you could let us know how you get on.

Thanks everybody. I think that you are right about the RHS book only really relating to the Northern Hemsiphere. I was thinking about possibly trying in a Poly Tunnel, but I wouldn't intend to heat it, so probably no good anyway.

Does anybody know if it will be possible to grow an avocado tree that will produce fruit in the Gers. Have to be honest I have never grown one anywhere before and don't know if this is an unrealistic dream !   Any help....

Not the most exciting topic I know but, any advice on best places to but white goods. We need all the basics, fridge, washing machine etc etc. If it makes any difference we will be in the Gers region. We have looked in Leclercs, seems o.k., but that is about the extent of our research to date. Any tips ?? Gabe 

Thanks everybody, this all helps. I am particularly interested in Chas' reply as 1900 euros is cheaper than I thought it would be, if done professionally. As we are not moving until after Christmas, I could do it now and any smell would be gone by the time we relocate. I think my biggest concern with doing it myself is knowing if I am actually achieving anything. How do you know when you have applied enough coats etc. Chas, out of interest (if you don't mind me asking) how big was your job, surface area that type of thing. Once again thanks everybody Gabe

Can anyone recommend or know of an english speaking architect in the Masseube area of the Gers ? Gabe

I know this has been covered, probably to death, but please indulge me one more time. We are in the process of buying an old, 1780, farmhouse in the Gers. The termite report is o.k. but mentions the possible presence of woodworm and Capricorn beetles, this being reasonably self evident at the property itself. We are looking to complete in June/July and will not be permanently relocating until Feb 2006. With this in mind I would like ideas as to how to address the problem. I was thinking of just biting the bullet and spraying everything months before we move in to be on the safe side, but fear that this will be hard work, expensive and over the top (for info the house is 250m2 and the barns a little bigger). Also if we take this approach what happens to existing finishes on walls, tiles etc, you can't cover everything. To be honest from my own, untrained inspections it doesn't look to bad, and I am not bothered by a few holes (comes with the territory), but equally I do not want the roof to fall in (it is a nice one). All comments gratefully received. Gabe

Can anybody help ? We are awaiting the arrival of the Compromis de Vente in the post, for the house we have finally found in the Gers. My questions are; How straight forward is it to get permission to use your property for a small Gite business, assuming that you have a CU ?Has anybody experienced difficulties doing this if there are neighbouring Gites in the area ? For example have the owners been difficult about planning applications etc.I ask because we intend to spend 2-3 years renovating the property and outbuildings and will live there permanently. We intend also to rent two Gites as an additional income but note that there is another Gite in the immediate village. Any thoughts would be gratefully received. Gabe

Does anybody have any info regarding maternelle and primary schools in the Lannemezan/Castelnau Magnoac/Boulogne sur Gesse area. We have three small children and are moving to the area in Spring 2005 and any info would be extremely helpful. Failing specific knowledge, useful web sites would help. We have tried lots, but many areas do not have any schools at all listed, which isn't too helpful. Thanks....Gabe

Stephen, Thank you we have made contact

Can anybody recommend an English speaking local architect in the Lannemezan/Castelnau Magnoac area ?

Can anybody help ? We have been looking at many properties in Gers but have yet to find the ideal one for us. My question is, how realistic are the asking prices, especially those advertised on the internet, or alternatively is there are a rule of thumb that can be applied when making an offer that is serious without paying too much. The reason I ask is that we have now seen many properties of a similar ilk but have yet to get a real feeling for the true value. Obviously I realise that this is a little like asking the length of a piece of string, but any help would be greatly appreciated.